V. Contreras Won’t Let Her Dreams Be Quashed On Her Inspiring New Release “Done Playing Small”

Don’t let anybody dim your dreams.

In a world that often limits who we can be, breaking free from those confines is an act of defiance—and, for many, a necessary one.

Society loves to tell us (and especially women) to shrink ourselves, to take up less space, and to leave big dreams to others. Well, Seattle-based vocalist V. Contreras says to hell with all of that. In her compelling new single “Done Playing Small,” she aims at those pushing people to shrink themselves, allowing her powerful voice and raw songwriting to reclaim and amplify her narrative.

One message that constantly resonates from Contreras’s artistic ethos is that true power lies in shutting out the noise and embracing your every ambition, no matter how audacious it seems. Human beings are meant to dream, so fulfilling your dreams isn’t just an act of self-expression; it’s a reclamation of your right to live life to the fullest.

Known for her dynamic vocal style and deeply personal storytelling, Contreras has steadily built up a loyal following. As she continues to stay true to herself and shine ever brighter, the limit for this talented artist seems to be the stars themselves.

Produced by Davide Russo (Ruhde) and written by Contreras, “Done Playing Small” finds its footing in a contemporary electronic groove, blending intensity with elegance, providing Contreras with a stage where her voice can soar. And soar she does, with lyrics like “Cuz I found the girl I used to know inside / and her fire is strong and beautiful, she can’t hide,” setting fire to the release, and Contreras’s vocals swell with power and energy.

“Done Playing Small” is an incredibly empowering release and one that’s sure to resonate with listeners all over the world with burning dreams to be explored.

Just as inevitably as the darkness of the night turns to light, Contreras’s talent and dreams refuse to go unnoticed. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream V. Contreras’s latest release, “Done Playing Small,” on all major streaming platforms.

Welcome to Buzz, V. Contreras! We adored “Done Playing Small," and knew we had to ask, could you take us through your creative process for this release? 

Thank you so much! Writing “Done Playing Small” was truly a labor of love. At the time, I was in a season of personal growth, working to unlearn a lot of negative self-talk and rewrite the story I had been telling myself for far too long. These limiting beliefs were holding me back from living a fuller, more authentic life.

I actually wrote the phrase "Done Playing Small" in large letters in my lyric book, and it sat there on my piano for days, almost staring at me, waiting for the right moment. The song came together very quickly when I finally sat down to write. I wrote the bulk of the lyrics, chords, and vocal melodies in one sitting, which is a rare moment of creative flow. It felt like the song had already been written, and I was just the vessel bringing it to life.

Recently, I’ve been focusing on writing for sync opportunities, so I wasn’t really planning to release any more music as an artist. But this song felt important to release myself, especially at this point in my life, as a way to step fully into my own authenticity and stop playing small myself.

In terms of sound, I wanted a modern pop vibe with production that seamlessly complemented the vocals and lyrics. I knew Davide Russo (Ruhde) would be the perfect producer to bring that vision to life, and he exceeded my expectations. He even wrote the chords for the bridge, which is one of my favorite parts of the song. Working with him remotely from Italy was a first for me, but it was such a rewarding collaboration.

You made a stunning music video to go along with “Done Playing Small,” right? What was it like bringing your vision for this release to life, and what did you feel when you saw the completed video for the first time?

Thank you very much.  I am extremely proud of this music video.

After recording “Done Playing Small,” I knew it needed a visual representation to amplify its message.  I met Fuego Gatsby last year when he was on a panel.  He spoke about his process of completely immersing himself and the artist into the song to capture the essence of the song truly, and that was what I was looking for.  And he certainly delivered just that.  I think the video turned out stunning, to his credit. 

Fuego told me it was a challenge to create this video because, as a man, he doesn’t share the same lived experience as women. But his empathetic nature as a creative really shone through—he asked thoughtful questions of me and other women to understand not just how it feels to go through life feeling small but where those feelings come from.

He said that when he first heard the song, he found it powerful and bold, and he wanted the video to reflect the transformation at the core. Most of the video is in black and white, symbolizing that journey of self-realization, with a transition to full color at the end, representing growth and empowerment. The soil in the video represents unleashing from the earth and rebirth, while the lotus flowers signify metamorphosis and growth.

Fashion is incredibly important to me, and Fuego made sure that was reflected. We moved from relatable clothing to the bold, Kelly green Oscar de la Renta dress at the end, symbolizing transformation into our future selves. We were lucky to have my friend and stylist extraordinaire Justin Leggett style me for the shoot. I’m a huge fan of resale (because of the uniqueness of the pieces and the neutral impact on the environment), and we were incredibly fortunate to be able to use pieces from The Refind Closet, an icon in the resale space.

When I saw the final video, I had tears streaming down my face. The footage of other women, especially the little girl shown throughout, hit me hard. She reminded me of the strong, innocent girl we all once were before life’s challenges took their toll. And it made me think about how we spend so much of our lives trying to reconnect with who we truly are.

Do you have any advice for any listeners who might be trying to follow in your footsteps?

For me, this song brought me back to my why.

I write music and sing because it feeds my soul. I share music because it has the power to impact others positively. Getting caught up in chasing outcomes with music—streams, charts, recognition is easy. But art isn’t meant to be transactional. It’s meant to be transformative.

This song was a reminder of that for me. I advise anyone considering releasing new music to write down your why. Why do you want to release music? Are you chasing fame or money? Or are you looking to make a meaningful impact? I believe fame and success follow intention—not the other way around.

What’s your biggest source of motivation when you make your music, and as an extension of that, what does music mean to you? 

My biggest source of motivation when making music is the emotional connection—both to myself and to others. Music has always been my way of processing life, and it allows me to tap into feelings that words alone can’t express. It’s that ability to convey emotion and create a shared experience that drives me.

Honestly, if I don’t create what's percolating inside me, I’m not the best version of myself. It’s how I process the world and stay centered.  Music is my therapy, my yoga—it’s what grounds me. It puts me in a state of flow where time almost disappears.

For others, that outlet might be running, drawing, painting, or reading. For me, it’s making music. Music is more than just sound or entertainment—healing, storytelling, and transformation. It has this incredible power to uplift, comfort, and empower people. When I’m writing or performing, I always think about how the song might resonate with someone else and how it could help them feel seen or understood.

In essence, music is a conversation between souls, and it’s this profound connection that fuels my creativity—knowing that my work has the potential to touch others in meaningful ways.

What’s next for V. Contreras, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

Well, now that "Done Playing Small" has gotten me out of retirement as an artist, there is much more to come.

To my fans, thank you for your unwavering support! You inspire me every day, and I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you. Stay tuned for new music!

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